Sends news of his movements since Beagle put in at Falmouth. His charts are safe and already being engraved.

+

Announces his engagement.

Transcription

Dearest Philos

What you will say to me for not having written before I know not—but really I
have not been idle or forgetful.

I trusted to Fuller for all immediately necessary information
and I will now try to give you the rest.

Captain Beaufort was out of town when my letters & papers reached London (from
Falmouth) and the Chart duster put them away in a corner (excepting
one private one) to await Capt. B's return!!! Those papers related
to the Chronometric results &c &c—upon which the necessity for
our going to Woolwich was to be founded—

Orders had been sent to Plymouth for the Beagle to pay off there—but
Ld. Amelius Beauclerk had civility & sense enough to stay
proceedings and approve of my going to London to see the Lords & Masters
myself— I boarded Sir John Barrow, and then made a stalking horse of
him while attacking the others.

All was satisfactorily settled in a very short time—and they acceded civilly
to my proposal of calling at Portsmouth. I was delighted to see that the
Valpo. cargo of charts had not only arrived but that
they were mostly Engraved —or in the Engraver's hands—and
on a large scale. They have given much satisfaction at the Hydl.
Office.

I have promised to give them a short paper for the Geogl.
Society— a slight sketch of our
voyage— I will do what I can—according to time and ask you to add,
and correct.

Rice Trevor & Alexr Wood crossed me on
the road—they in one mail—I in another—but I was soon down
again & with them at Devonport— Fuller told me you looked very well
and had on a good hat!

Who the deuce was my cousin in a broad brimmed hat?

I was delighted by your letter.— The account of your
family—& the joy tipsy style of the whole letter were very
pleasing. Indeed Charles Darwin I have also been very
happy—even at that horrid place Plymouth—for that horrid place
contains a treasure to me which even you were ignorant of!!
Now guess—and think & guess again. Believe it, or not,—the
news is true —I am going to be married!!!!!!! to Mary
OBrien—

Now you may know that I had decided on this step, long very long
ago.— All is settled & we shall be married in December. Rice Trevor
Alexr. Wood & Talbot like her much. Pray call on my
sister in Stratton Street—she longs to see you,—& ask to see
the children.—

Money matters are better than you think. Your's most sincerely |
Robt. FitzRoy

The plan for the chronometric readings called for the final reading to be made at
Greenwich. This was done on 28 October, after which the Beagle
proceeded to Woolwich to be paid off (Narrative 2: 638).

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f3 312.f3

FitzRoy's outstanding ability as a surveyor was cited in a report to the House of
Commons, 10 February 1848. Captain Beaufort is quoted as saying, `From
the Equator to Cape Horn, and from thence round to the river Plata on the eastern side
of America, all that is immediately wanted has been already achieved by the splendid
survey of Captain Robert FitzRoy' (DNB, `Robert FitzRoy').

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f4 312.f4

FitzRoy 1836.

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f5 312.f5

George Rice Trevor, married to FitzRoy's sister Frances.

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f6 312.f6

Mary Henrietta O'Brien, daughter of a country gentleman and Major General
(Mellersh 1968, p. 172).